Trinity College

The University of Toronto is formed in the old Collegiate fashion, meaning it's composed of 7 separate colleges. With the lowest acceptance rate, Trinity College boasts an air of superiority to UofT students and faculty. 

Those who know the University of Toronto, are aware of the college’s current location on Hoskin Avenue, only a few minutes walking distance from the Legislative Assembly at Queen’s Park. The original location was in fact nowhere near the current campus of UofT, but instead in another famous landmark known to all Torontonians: Trinity Bellwoods Park. 

In 1851, Bishop John Strachan, wanted to design an academic institution built on the strong Anglican principles, a year prior the University of Toronto became secular and parted ways from having religious association. A large piece of undeveloped land on Queen Street West (current location of Trinity Bellwoods Park) was purchased for the purpose of building Trinity College.

After the reunification of Trinity to the University of Toronto, it became clear that the location would need to be relocated to be closer to the University’s campus. In 1925, the modern Trinity College was completed; the original would eventually be torn down. The one remaining feature serves as the entry gate of the park on Queen Street.

The next time you’re wandering through Trinity Bellwoods Park on a Saturday afternoon in July, consider the irony of the park’s former devotion to that of Anglican values. Such ideals would certainly forbid such activities as public drinking, the use of certain recreational drugs and general vivacious frivolity.